Top Trails

This adventure is made for the experienced hiker. We put together the most challenging and beautiful trails in the Southern Black Forest in one package. The tour takes you to parts of the famous Wutachschlucht (gorge) and also to Kandelhöhenweg. You should be an experienced hiker comfortable with all-day hikes. Good boots and hiking poles are a must for these trails.

Location

Black Forest

Start / End

freiburg

Activity

hiking

Distance

up to 18 km daily

Difficulty

moderate-difficult

Duration

4 days of hiking

Tour format

self-guided, with hotel

Top Trails

spring, summer, fall
4 days of hiking

This adventure is made for the experienced hiker. We put together the most challenging and beautiful trails in the Southern Black Forest in one package. You will hike parts of the famous Wutachschlucht (gorge) and over the Kandelhöhenweg. You should be an experienced hiker comfortable with all-day hikes. Good boots and hiking poles are a must for these Top Trails of the Black Forest.

  • We Handle All The Detail
  • Luggage Transfer Included
  • Hotels Included
  • 4 days/ 5nights
  • Detailed Route Descriptions & Maps
  • We are only a phone call away

Looking for an adventure? We have put together the perfect package for you.

If you are looking for some challenging hiking, we have assembled a perfect package for you. We have done them all, and we know, these are the must-do hikes in the southern Black Forest, and we have put them together in one 4-day package.

How experienced do I have to be?

To hike our Top Trails you will need competence. These trails are not for beginners or the occasional hiker. While the distances are not too long (14-18 km), some portions involve difficult terrain (examples pictured below). The trails can be very slippery, especially when wet. Roots, stones, leaves and mud – you simply must have hiking poles in order to avoid slipping and falling. These trails do become impassable in heavy rain. The good news is, there is no mountaineering involved – you will stay on trails. But once you are on the trail you are committed. There are no short-cuts or chances to call a cab from the trails. You should be competent with maps and navigation. You should be the type of hiker that does not worry about “getting lost”. You need to be equipped with good hiking boots with good profile, a day pack and hiking poles, dress in layers and bring your rain gear – you know best what to pack.

Easy to get to?

No, It’s not easy to get to the trail heads. And that’s a good thing. But no worries – getting you to the trails is our job. We tell you which busses and trains to take. We provide timetables, maps, and a touring app which works without a data plan on your mobile phone. This is not quiet The Amazing Race, but you may sometimes have to adapt to unforeseeable circumstances – missing a bus or train can happen. In case of plan B – if for example you need a pick-up somewhere – we can arrange that.

What’s the itinerary?

Your starting point is Freiburg, the capital of the Black Forest. From there you take a train into the mountains to your first hotel. You stay in a small mountain town with easy access to restaurants and small shops. This will be your base-camp for the next 3 nights.

The first two days you will explore some of the famous gorge trails. These are all one-way hikes, so transportation is part of the challenge. But no worries – we have got you covered. (and if you don’t want to use public transportation we can also arrange a driver to the trail-head and pick you up again at the exit). The hikes on the first two days are quite challenging – but as an experienced hiker you should have no trouble managing them.

On your third day you have a choice. You might want to take a rest day or do an easy short hike. If you are looking for more activity we have a hike which takes you to a remote waterfall – this is also a challenging trail – but as an experienced hiker you should have no difficulty. You will switch hotels today, to another beautiful mountain town.

Your final hike is long – but easy. It takes you from the mountains all the way down into Freiburg with lots of scenery.

What if it rains? Or I need a rest day?

If you can’t hike on one day it is easy to do a rest day instead. There are lots of sights nearby – you can always skip a hike and take the day off. And then connect to the next hotel by bus.

Rain can indeed be an issue hiking our Top Trails. Some are impassable in heavy rain. But again, we have backup plans. We can re-route you onto some other trails which can be hiked in any weather.

Black Forest Waterfall Hike

Hotels

You are staying in 3 different hotels. The first hotel is located in a small mountain town. It is a family-run hotel. While its nothing fancy, it is one of our favorite hotels in the south – comfortable and welcoming. You are here for 3 nights. (If you are interested in staying at a hotel with wellness facilities instead, we can upgrade you for an additional fee).

The next hotel is in a different mountain town. You are located right in the town centre. But no worries, the town is tiny and quiet. You are here for 1 night. We take care of your luggage transfer.

The last hotel is located in Freiburg. We place you in the old town so you can easily explore in the evening after your hike or the next morning. In Freiburg we work with some smaller hotels. But again – if you prefer to stay in a 4 star hotel, we can easily make an upgrade.

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Black Forest Tours
Average rating:  
 1 reviews
 by guidedog1951

My wife and I did a tour with BFT in 2018 and thoroughly enjoyed it. Who knew a pandemic would mean five years until the next one? We are avid hikers and backpackers and wanted something a bit more challenging, and so we were excited when Simone offered the new Top Trails package for 2023. The setup is a bit different as you begin with a base hotel and three different hikes in areas quite a bit wilder than the usual trek. The remote trailheads require a driver to drop you off and bus rides back to the hotel, but that is part of the challenge and fun - and the drive through the back country roads is wonderful and totally off the beaten tourist track. We found it great to stay at the first hotel for multiple nights, especially after long days on the trail. Hotel was convenient, right across from the rail station, and its restaurant was fantastic. After the third day we took a bus to the next trail and our luggage was transferred to the second (great) hotel with a restaurant to match. Day four took us back to Freiburg and yet another amazing place in the middler of the old town. All in all we hiked more than 40 miles in 4 days. The hikes were amazing, wild, and with BFT's new 2goTours app, navigation was easy by phone. Of course BFT prepared a wonderful spiral bound guidebook with trail information. points of interest, and even the schedules of all the trains and busses needed to get to and from the trails. This package is not for the casual hiker, but I'm 71 and after a few weeks training at our local parks and trails, I had no problem doing the treks. It's a different view of the Black Forest region for sure, but there are plenty of miles that offer the sweeping views and little towns that are visited in the other packages. Highly recommended for visitors who want to burn calories, scramble over roots and rocks, and pause for lunch or snacks at the side of wild and remote streams. Simone and her team have put together a great tour - give Top Trails a try!

Is it for me?

If you are an experienced hiker looking for a bit of a challenge, this is a good packge for you.

 

Itinerary

Arrival Info

Arrive in Freiburg by train. From here you switch to a regional train which takes you to your first hotel up in the mountains within 45 minutes.

If you arrive early afternoon, there is still time to include some sightseeing to nearby sights (e.g. Lake Titisee, Feldberg Mountain). We are happy to provide recommendations on what to see and do on your arrival day.

Dinner

Your hotel has a restaurant. But there are also other options in town.

Accommodation

  • standard hotel

We work with a family-owned hotel in a small mountain town –  located very close to the train station.

For an additional fee we can upgrade you to a wellness hotel with pool and sauna.

Elevation Profiles

Description of your day

Our driver will pick you up in the morning and drive you to the start of the trail. You return to your hotel by bus.

Accommodation

  • same hotel as last night

 

Elevation Profiles

Description of your day

Our driver will pick you up in the morning and drive you to the start of the trail. You return to your hotel by bus.

Accommodation

  • same hotel as last night

Elevation Profiles

Description of your day

After breakfast you will hop on a bus which takes you on a scenic ride along the Panorama Road. You will end in a remote mountain town from which you start your hiking tour. 

Rest Day?

If the last 2 days were too strenuous and you need a rest day you can skip today’s hike. Explore town, do some sightseeing, then hop on a bus to your next hotel.

Hiking Day?

 Today’s challenging trail is 15 km in length and covers some difficult terrain. You will stop at a waterfall which can only be visited by foot. You can even add-on more km to eat at a farmhouse for lunch. On a rainy day this trail needs to be avoided, it will be too slippery.

If you want to be active today, but the Top Trail Hike is too much for you we have an alternative option. Enjoy a relatively flat walk of 9 km along the edge of the forest with pretty scenic views throughout the hike. On clear days you can see as far as the Vosges mountains in Alsace

Accommodation

  • standard hotel

You are staying in a small mountain town providing a good opportunity to peak inside one of the Black Forest’s oldest churches.

Elevation Profile:

Description of your day

  • Today’s hike is long – but the trail is not strenous and easy to walk on. Since you are located in the mountains you will mostly walk slightly downhill – straight into Freiburg.
  • We keep you on small trails – a very enjoyable hike. Don’t let the long distance scare you!

Accommodation

  • standard hotel inside the old town of Freiburg. Upgrades possible

 

 

 

 

 

Departure Info

From your hotel it is a short walk to Freiburg’s train station. 

We highly recommend exploring Freiburg prior to your departure (why not add-on another night?). No rush – if you want to explore town, then store the luggage at your hotel and pick it up later.

Good to Know

  • 5 nights of accommodation in double room with private bathroom
  • 5 breakfast 
  • 5 days of  free transportation on local busses and trains
  • transfers to the trail head with private car and driver

Please note. You are staying at 3 different hotels. The first hotel (3 nights) is located in a small mountain town. The second hotel (1 night) is also in a mountain town, The third hotel (1 night) is in Freiburg.

  • luggage transfer between all hotels
  • welcome bag with useful items for your tour (water bottle, etc)
  • Travel to/from the Black Forest (Freiburg)
  • Lunches and dinners
  • Travel insurance. Make sure you have travel insurance covering you against illness, injury, loss or damage to property and cancellations.
  • Personal expenses such as drinks, tips, telephone calls, extra transfers (such as by taxi or when not included in public transport pass).
  • Season. This package  is available from June to mid-October.
  • Please note that weather can play a big part of this hiking tour. On a rainy day some of the trails are off-limits. We will then present you with an alternative hike.

The Top Trails Package is available as a 4 day/5 night package. 

 

Please inquire 

The hotels we include in this package are all small family-owned hotel. (only in Freiburg will you be staying in a larger hotel). They are not  fancy hotels, but clean and very friendly. Most often you will meet the owners during your stay. 

You are staying in 3 different hotels. Luggage Transfer is included.

  1. The first hotel is located in a small mountain town. It is a small family-run hotel, nothing fancy. But comfortable and welcoming. One of our favorite hotels in the South. You are here for 3 nights. (Good to know: If you are interested in staying at an upgraded hotel with wellness area and dinner instead, we can upgrade you for an additional fee, please inquire).
  2. The second hotel is in a different town – right in the town centre (no worries, the town is tiny and quiet). We take care of your luggage transfer. You are here for 1 night.
  3. The third hotel is located in Freiburg. We place you in the old town – so you can easily explore in the evening after your hike or the next morning. In Freiburg we work with some small family-owned hotels. But again – if you prefer to stay in a 4 star hotel, we can easily upgrade you.

Double Rooms. If you are booking a double room there is one double bed with 2 individual mattresses (not 2 twin beds). If you require separate beds we recommend booking 2 separate rooms. In rare cases twin beds are available, please inquire.

Single Rooms. If you are traveling by yourself we charge a single room supplement. You will either be provided with a single room. Or with a double room for single use – based on availability.

Upgrades.  Upgrades are  possible in hotel 1 (mountain town, 3 nights) and hotel 3 (Freiburg, 1 night). 

Bathrooms. All rooms have private en-suite bathrooms.

Air-Conditioning. Summers can be very warm. Most hotels in Germany do not have air-conditioning. Sometimes hotels can provide a fan for your room. Usually the hotel owners will tell you to sleep with the window open during the night – this is very common in Germany.

  • comfortable walking boots and socks 
  • hiking poles are a must
  • warm and waterproof clothes
  • a day pack is useful
  • rain gear
  • sun glasses, sun hat, sun block

You will receive detailed route notes and maps from us upon check-in at your first hotel. 

You have a choice between touring with a paper map & route description. Or using our app to navigate during the day (mobile device required, no data plan needed)

 

 

  • Mobile Phone Coverage. Please note that the Black Forest is a mountainous area. Often there is no mobile phone coverage when touring the Black Forest. 
  • Wi-Fi in hotels. All of our hotels have wi-fi but sometimes it can be spotty in your room – depending on the location of your room.
  • If you require constant online access we do NOT recommend touring the Black Forest. Consider staying in a large town like Baden-Baden or Freiburg instead.

Day 1:

Day 2:  

Day 3 (optional rest day)

Day 4:

Where you will be touring

top trails black forest

See what some of our customers say who have done this tour before:

Black Forest Tours
Average rating:  
 1 reviews
 by guidedog1951

My wife and I did a tour with BFT in 2018 and thoroughly enjoyed it. Who knew a pandemic would mean five years until the next one? We are avid hikers and backpackers and wanted something a bit more challenging, and so we were excited when Simone offered the new Top Trails package for 2023. The setup is a bit different as you begin with a base hotel and three different hikes in areas quite a bit wilder than the usual trek. The remote trailheads require a driver to drop you off and bus rides back to the hotel, but that is part of the challenge and fun - and the drive through the back country roads is wonderful and totally off the beaten tourist track. We found it great to stay at the first hotel for multiple nights, especially after long days on the trail. Hotel was convenient, right across from the rail station, and its restaurant was fantastic. After the third day we took a bus to the next trail and our luggage was transferred to the second (great) hotel with a restaurant to match. Day four took us back to Freiburg and yet another amazing place in the middler of the old town. All in all we hiked more than 40 miles in 4 days. The hikes were amazing, wild, and with BFT's new 2goTours app, navigation was easy by phone. Of course BFT prepared a wonderful spiral bound guidebook with trail information. points of interest, and even the schedules of all the trains and busses needed to get to and from the trails. This package is not for the casual hiker, but I'm 71 and after a few weeks training at our local parks and trails, I had no problem doing the treks. It's a different view of the Black Forest region for sure, but there are plenty of miles that offer the sweeping views and little towns that are visited in the other packages. Highly recommended for visitors who want to burn calories, scramble over roots and rocks, and pause for lunch or snacks at the side of wild and remote streams. Simone and her team have put together a great tour - give Top Trails a try!

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